A note on Sporozoa of undetermined taxonomic position in an Armadillo and a Heifer Calf

Abstract

A sporozoan parasite of undetermined taxonomic position is described in the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, from British Honduras, Central America. Schizonts, giving rise to approximately 60 merozoites, are produced in the parenchyma cells of the liver and in the endothelial cells of the brain capillaries: rupture of the schizonts stimulates conspicuous foci of inflammatory response. No sexual stages were observed. A similar parasite is recorded in the lung and liver of a heifer calí, Bos taurus, from England. The possible relationship of these parasites within the Sporozoa is discussed.